EastCoastLadi

Lori, You're going to be ok, I know this. I tell people I can handle anyone's illness and health problems, except for my children, I fall apart and panic at the smallest things. I know about dealing with a child that has to go to specialists. My youngest unfortunately has a potentially deadly allergy to nuts, when I first found out about this, it had been only a couple of weeks after we found out about my husbands cancer. I was devistated, I couldn't take it, not my baby!...it wasn't fair at all, what did she do to deserve this? ...how could I keep her safe from everything?.....It's still very difficult, the visits and tests to the allergist, nothing can cure what she has...(sounds so much like my husbands' prognosis), we just have to be very vigiliant about it. It is amazing how some people look at you and think it's in "inconvience" for them because of your "special" circumstances, that ticks me off big time, because if the shoe were on the other foot, I would be as understanding as possible. I'm sorry about the rambling, I know your son will be ok, of course it just means some more extending of yourself, but they you can handle it. As far as mom and her wishes, I don't know if you could ask her, "what if", without going into details.....Please take care Grace

Jennifer, I know it is extremely difficult for you right now. Your sister is in a better place, now she has no pain, I hope you can take some comfort in that. My prayers go out to you today. Grace

Jan, I'm sorry to hear you dads' health is declining. But I'm glad to know that hospice is helping out and you've got everything you need to have to make your dad comfortable. Sending out prayers to you today. Grace

Hoping Rich is doing better today, prayers going his way......hope he's in a nice cool place....( the weather here today is Hot!!!! ) Grace

Tbar, I'm glad you're here! I know you understand that this is such an overwhelming thing to be dealing with, especially in the beginning, it's just way too much. I know your bf is probably numb. He needs to process it, by himself and with his mom in his own way and time. I think the best thing you can do is just let him know you're there for him in whatever way you can. It may be in the smallest of things, but those small things can be so significant. Grace

...this link gives more details.. http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/a ... 41,00.html

just caught this online.... http://www.comcast.net/entertainment/in ... 47618.html Grace

Jen, You know I understand about what our young daughters have gone thru seeing their grandfathers this way. My girls, God bless them, got thru it, it isn't easy, but with youth comes wisdom! In terms of your dad on new onc. drugs, it is ultimately up to him, my dad made the decision that he didn't want anymore treatment, we had to respect that. I just hope and pray all works out for your dad. Grace

...celebrate

Judy, My husband had a real bad burn after WBR, his radiologist ended up scripting him (forgive me about spelling ) SilverDeem Cream ?, it definitely help him tremendously. So ask the rad. techs about getting some or a script. from the dr. Grace

Wonderful news!!!!! Lets keep the good times rollin!!!!! Grace

((((Sue)))), Big hugs!!!!!! coming your way today.... Grace

Theresa, Get mad at the cancer!!!!!, your mom is just a victim to its' clutches. Sure everyone bears some responsibility, but remember when AIDS first came out, it was "viewed" as I call it "A behavioral disease" - referring to you do a certain behavior, then you are to blame. Now look at how far we have come to dealing w/ AIDS, there are world conferences, government funding, concerts, awareness days, research, and AIDS doesn't have that "stigma" that it once had (at least in my opinion). Now it has to be lung cancers' time!!!! .....we need to get rid of the "stigma" the public needs to know how devastiting of a disease it is. ... Grace

Joanie, I bet you feel this incredible weight just got lifted off your shoulders!!!! Well wish the old boss, good luck, and don't let the door hit her...... . Now you may actually like going to work..... Grace

Gail, I am very sad to read about your dads' passing. Please know that he fought an incredibly brave and difficult fight with strength and dignity. My prayers are going out for you and your family at this difficult time. Grace

Jay, I hope you talk to her drs. pronto! She needs to have her meds re-evaluated and the drs. need to know of this situation. Do you know exactly what meds. or is she being secretive about that as well? Unfortunately your mom can do whatever she wants to legally, the only way to have any "control" over the situation is to try to declare her "incompetent" and that is a very difficult thing to do, I know my mom did it w/ my grandmother and it was such an ordeal! Also what kind of insurance does your mom have, because you can find out if she has a case manager thru her insurance to help her out. Your mom probably doesn't want anyone to tell her what to do, I understand that, the feeling of losing control is a devistating thing. Grace

(((Jen))) It breaks my heart to read all that your dad is going thru. I know you feel so helpless, and I know that your mind is spining right now, please know your dad and you and your family are in my prayers. Grace

Jan, We know you are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Although you may not believe it at this moment, you are. Right now you are living like alot of us, one moment at a time, that is what you have to do. So please make sure that you take care of yourself too, make the most out of hospice not only for your dad but for you and your family as well. Please know that we are here for you whenever you need us. Prayers for your dad and you. Grace

Jen, It breaks my heart to hear this, it hits too close to home for me. This reminds me about what we went thru w/ my dad, about a year ago, his cancer had grown, there wasn't much else to do, he wanted to come home and be with his family. At that point it was whatever my dad wanted he got...I pray that they make your dad as comfortable as possible and pain free. My prayers are with you tonite. Grace

I'm very glad to hear that you FIL is more stablized. I know that w/ the morphine pump, the "bolises(sp?)" that your FIL can give himself are set up on intervals of so many minutes. Of course they can be altered by his dr. so it may be an issue of working out the best dosage at a certain amount of time. Your dad really can't get more morphine from the pump than he wants. Your husband or you may want to discuss that w/ his nursing staff, if you can't get in touch w/ the dr. I'm hoping now that your FIL has some good care that he will be able to get stronger... Grace

I'm sending my prayers Richs' way!!! Grace

Rod, My husband has experienced both extremes, in fact sometimes they changes to the extremes so quickly. It probably is chemo related, and the easiest thing to do is to make your dad as comfy as possible.... Grace

Kelly, Sometimes it is the smallest of things that can mean the most. For my husband and myself just sitting together talking, or laughing at a silly tv show has a wonderful effect on us! I think I get the most joy when I see my husband laughing and playing with our daughters. Grace

Hello and Welcome Troy... Your wife has a wonderful advocate in you! I know that you will get all kinds of good info. here, so just ask away.....but definitely when you're w/ her drs. ask any and all questions and concerns that you have.... Grace

Keep on truckin' Rich!!!! Getting those platelets up won't be hard for you, heck my husband just went thru the low platelet ordeal, and now he's back and "good to go!!!" Grace